Translation and interpreting services in maternity and neonatal care (Sands and Tommy's Policy Unit)

Summary

Recent reports have highlighted issues with non-English speaking women and birthing people being able to access equitable maternity care, with inconsistent use of interpreters and translation services, and cases where this has contributed to poor outcomes and avoidable harm.

Sands & Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit have produced a briefing paper on translation and interpreting services in maternity and neonatal care.

Content

Key messages 

• Reports and reviews have highlighted issues with the use and quality of interpreting and translation services in maternity care, contributing to poor outcomes and avoidable harm. 

• Existing guidance states that professional interpreting services must always be available when needed, and that family members should not be used in place of a professional interpreter. 

• There is poor documentation of interpreting need, and inadequate response to requests for interpretation.  

• Where interpreting and translation services are available, they are not used consistently. Barriers to this include limited appointment time and poor quality of services. 

• Lack of high-quality interpreting services are also impacting personalisation of care and choice, and women and birthing people’s ability to give informed consent to treatment and procedures.

Follow the link below to read the full briefing paper.